The film adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel Cloud Atlas has long been rumored to have A-list actors circling — Natalie Portman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, and James McAvoy are just some of the names that have been potentially attached to the project — and now it’s got one of them nailed down. Deadline reports that Tom Hanks has signed on to the film, which will be co-directed by Run Lola Run helmer Tom Tykwer and Andy and Lana Wachowski. (Since the book was made up of six interconnected stories, expect more high-profile casting announcements soon.) You’ll remember that back in September, we told you the Wachowskis had two projects cooking and were eager to make whichever one found financing first: Cloud Atlas or the controversial gay romance Cobalt Neural 9. You may not be surprised that the Tom Hanks movie pulled ahead of the one involving the Iraq War, explicit gay sex, and presidential assassination. [Deadline]
